Quick Answer
WhatsApp allows users to customize the Enter button to act as the Send button instead. This can be done in the Settings of WhatsApp. Go to Settings > Chats > Enter is send. Toggle the switch next to ‘Enter is send’ on. This will make the Enter button act as the Send button when typing messages in WhatsApp.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide to change the Enter button to the Send button in WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Tap on the 3 dots menu icon in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Chats.
- Under ‘Enter is send’, toggle the switch on.
This will make the Enter button act as the Send button when typing messages in chats. Each time you press Enter, the message will be sent.
On Android
On Android phones, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap on the 3 vertical dots icon in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings > Chats.
- Tap on ‘Enter key to send’.
- Toggle the switch on for ‘Enter key to send’.
This will enable the Enter key to send messages on WhatsApp for Android.
On iPhone
For iPhones, the steps are:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap on Settings at the bottom right.
- Go to Chats.
- Turn on ‘Return key to send’.
This will make the return key act as the Send button on iPhones.
Advantages of Changing to Send Button
Here are some advantages of changing the Enter button to the Send button in WhatsApp:
- Sends messages faster with one tap instead of switching to the Send button.
- More convenient for quick replies or when you want to send short messages.
- Saves time compared to tapping the Send icon each time.
- Easier to send messages when typing on the keyboard.
- Good for social media managers, chat support, or anyone who needs to respond quickly.
Overall, it improves the speed and efficiency of sending WhatsApp messages.
Disadvantages of Changing to Send Button
However, there are also some disadvantages to be aware of:
- May accidentally send unfinished messages before you intended to.
- Pressing Enter out of habit might send a message you didn’t mean to.
- Requires adjusting your typing style if you’re used to pressing Enter between lines.
- Might take some time to get used to if you’ve always used the Send icon.
- Could lead to unintended messages being sent in other apps you use.
So you need to be a little more careful to avoid sending incomplete or accidental messages.
Who Would Benefit from Changing to the Send Button?
Changing the Enter key to send messages is most useful for:
- Social media managers and online chat support reps – Respond to queries faster
- Reporters and journalists – Quickly send time-sensitive info
- Active WhatsApp users – Heavy messaging saves time
- People new to smartphones – Enter key more intuitive than Send icon
- Typists – More convenient than moving to click Send each time
It improves efficiency for anyone who frequently needs to send quick WhatsApp replies.
Who May Prefer Keeping the Send Icon?
However, some users may still prefer using the Send icon instead:
- Careful texters – Avoid accidentally sent messages
- Elderly people – Used to the Send button and want to avoid change
- New to WhatsApp – Still getting used to messaging style
- Visually impaired – Rely on bigger Send icon for accuracy
- People messaging in other apps – Don’t want Enter to send everywhere
So it depends on your messaging style, habits, and needs. But you can always switch back if changing to the Enter button doesn’t suit you.
Can I Customize It Per Chat?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp doesn’t allow customizing the Enter button per chat or contact. The setting changes it globally for all your WhatsApp chats.
You can’t set the Enter button to send for some chats while keeping the Send icon for other chats. It’s an all-or-nothing setting.
Once you enable ‘Enter is send’, it will make the Enter button send messages in all your WhatsApp conversations.
Does This Work on WhatsApp Web/Desktop?
Yes, when you enable ‘Enter is send’ on your WhatsApp mobile app, it also applies to WhatsApp Web and Desktop.
So when using WhatsApp on your computer browser or the desktop app, pressing the Enter key will send your messages.
The setting syncs across your devices thanks to WhatsApp’s cross-platform syncing.
Can I Undo Accidentally Sent Messages?
If you accidentally send an unfinished message, WhatsApp does have an undo option:
- Tap and hold on the sent message bubble.
- Tap ‘Delete’.
- Confirm deleting the message.
This will delete the message for you but not for recipients.
However, you only have a few seconds to delete the message before WhatsApp notifies your recipients. So the undo option is quite limited.
To be safe, take extra care to avoid pressing Enter to send unfinished thoughts. Or switch back to the Send icon if it’s causing too many issues.
Does This Affect Voice Messages?
No, changing the Enter button to send only affects text messages.
It doesn’t impact how WhatsApp sends voice messages or recordings.
To send a voice message, you still need to tap and hold the mic icon as usual. The Enter key cannot be used to send voice notes.
Can I Change the Behavior Back Easily?
Yes, if you change your mind later about using Enter to send, it’s easy to switch back:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap Chats.
- Toggle ‘Enter is send’ off.
This will disable Enter to send and make the Send icon functional again.
You can toggle it on or off at any time. The change takes effect immediately.
Is This Setting Available on WhatsApp Business?
Yes, the ‘Enter is send’ option is also available in WhatsApp Business accounts.
Business users can enable it in Settings > Chats to send messages faster.
It can improve efficiency for businesses, social media marketers, support reps, and other commercial users of WhatsApp.
Can I Change the Send Button on Telegram or Signal?
Unfortunately, you cannot change the default Send button behavior on other messaging apps like Telegram or Signal.
Those apps don’t provide a setting to make the Enter key send messages. Their Send icon always needs to be tapped.
Only WhatsApp offers the customizable ‘Enter is send’ setting at the moment.
Conclusion
Changing the Enter key to send messages can speed up your WhatsApp messaging and replies. But it takes some getting used to avoid accidental sends.
Enable ‘Enter is send’ in WhatsApp Settings > Chats if you frequently need to send fast responses. Disable it if you prefer the precision of the Send icon.
Just be a bit more attentive when typing to avoid mistakes until you get the hang of it. With practice, it can save you time and taps.
| Platform | Steps to Change Enter to Send |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings > Chats > Turn On ‘Return key to send’ |
| Android | Settings > Chats > Turn On ‘Enter key to send’ |
| WhatsApp Web/Desktop | Syncs automatically when changed on mobile |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sends messages faster | May accidentally send unfinished messages |
| More convenient for quick replies | Pressing Enter habitually might send unintended texts |
| Saves time compared to tapping Send icon | Need time to adjust typing style if used to Enter between lines |
| Good for social media managers, support reps, etc. | Could accidentally send messages in other apps too |